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The endocrine basis of benign breast disorders

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Abstract

There is sound clinical evidence that many benign breast conditions, especially pain, nodularity, and cysts, are likely to have their pathogenesis in hormonal events during reproductive life. Yet the classical theories of persisting hyperestrogenism and luteal progestogen deficiency have not stood up to detailed investigation. Recent work has demonstrated the importance of dynamic hormonal changes and of chronobiological rhythms—daily, menstrual, and seasonal. Recent developments and findings are reviewed to point to the directions in which the basic etiology of these conditions is likely to be discovered.

Résumé

De solides arguments cliniques confirment que bien de symptômes ou maladies bénignes du sein, notamment douleur, nodules, et kystes, trouvent leur explication pathogénétique dans les évènements hormonaux de la patiente fertile. Cependant, les théories classiques de la sécrétion oestrogénique persistante et de la déficience lutéale n'ont pas résisté aux investigations sérieuses. Des travaux récents ont démontré l'importance des variations hormonales dynamiques et des rythmes chronobiologiques—quotidiens, mensuels, et saisonniers. Dans cet article, on fait le point des données et découvertes récentes: l'étiologie de cette pathologie a des chances d'être découverte.

Resumen

Existe evidencia indicativa de que muchas condiciones mamarias benignas, especialmente el dolor, la nodularidad, y los quistes, posiblemente tienen su patogénesis en eventos hormonales que ocurren en el curso de la vida reproductiva. Sin embargo, las teorías clásicas sobre el hiperestrogenismo persistente y la deficiencia de progesterona no han sido motivo de investigación detallada. Trabajos recientes han demostrado la importancia de los cambios dinámicos hormonales y de los ritmos cronobiológicos—diarios, menstruales, y estacionales. Se revisan desarrollos y hallazgos recientes con miras a señalar las direcciones y campos en los cuáles la etiología básica de estas condiciones podría ser dilucidada.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedicine, Clinical Oncology, and Internal Medicine, University of Torino, Torino, Italy

    Luigi Dogliotti M.D., Fabio Orlandi M.D. & Alberto Angeli M.D.

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  1. Luigi Dogliotti M.D.
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  2. Fabio Orlandi M.D.
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  3. Alberto Angeli M.D.
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This work has been partially supported by the National Research Council (CNR), Rome, Italy, special project “Oncology” contract no. 86.00291.44.

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Dogliotti, L., Orlandi, F. & Angeli, A. The endocrine basis of benign breast disorders. World J. Surg. 13, 674–679 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01658413

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